Moti Bhalsan
Moti Bhalsan
Bholasan | |
|---|---|
Village | |
 Historic memorial shrine at Moti Bhalsan village. | |
  Moti Bhalsan Location in Gujarat, India  Moti Bhalsan Moti Bhalsan (India) | |
| Coordinates: 22°19′08″N 70°10′02″E / 22.3190229°N 70.1671624°E | |
| Country |  India |
| State | Gujarat |
| District | Jamnagar |
| Population | |
• Total | 1,750 |
| PIN | 361012 |
Moti Bhalsan (also known as Bholasan) is a village in Jamnagar district in the Indian state of Gujarat. It is situated approximately 22 kilometres (14 mi) southeast of Jamnagar near the Gulf of Kutch.
The village is traditionally regarded as the ancestral seat of the Moti Bhalsan branch of the Sodha Rajputs. According to regional genealogical traditions, it was established by Rana Parbatji Sodha during the early sixteenth century. The village is also associated with the Rajput warrior Togaji Sodha, who fought in the Battle of Bhuchar Mori in 1591.
Geography
Moti Bhalsan is located in western Gujarat in Jamnagar district, approximately 22 kilometres (14 mi) southeast of Jamnagar city. Nearby towns include Kalavad, Khambhalia and Salaya. The village falls under PIN Code 361012, with the postal head office at Chela. It lies close to the Gulf of Kutch and the Arabian Sea.
History
According to regional Rajput genealogical traditions, the ancestors of the Moti Bhalsan branch of the Sodha Rajputs migrated from Amarkot (present-day Sindh, Pakistan) into Gujarat through Kutch. Family tradition associates this migration with Rana Deepanji, who is credited with establishing Virva in the present-day Rajkot region before later generations expanded into the Halar region of Saurashtra.
According to family genealogies, Kunwar Parbatji later succeeded as Rana Parbatji and is traditionally credited with founding Moti Bhalsan during the early sixteenth century.
The village subsequently became the traditional seat of the Moti Bhalsan branch of the Sodha Rajputs. Family genealogies identify Family genealogies identify Moti Bhalsan, Shekhpat, Dhandha and Laliya as the principal settlements associated with the early history of this branch.
Togaji Sodha and the Battle of Bhuchar Mori
One of the most prominent historical figures associated with the village is Rana Togaji Sodha, who is traditionally regarded as a descendant of Rana Parbatji. Togaji fought on the side of Jam Sataji of Nawanagar State during the Battle of Bhuchar Mori, fought in July 1591 near Dhrol between the forces of Nawanagar and the Mughal army commanded by Mirza Aziz Koka.[1][2]
The Battle of Bhuchar Mori is regarded as one of the largest military engagements in the history of Saurashtra and is often referred to as the "Panipat of Saurashtra". Togaji Sodha was among the Rajput commanders who were killed in action during the battle.[3]
According to traditional Rajput accounts, Togaji Sodha and three companions volunteered for a hazardous mission before the battle and reportedly infiltrated the opposing camp, disabling approximately 140 artillery guns before the engagement.[4]
Heritage
The village contains a historic memorial shrine with traditional memorial stones (paliyas) associated with local historical and genealogical traditions. The shrine remains an important cultural landmark of the village.
Places of worship
The village contains several places of worship, including:
- Bhimnath Mahadev Temple
- Fuleshwar Mahadev Temple
- Jai Gel Mataji Temple
- Jain Derasar
- Meramdada Temple
- Nilkanth Mahadev Temple
- Shri Raiya Bapa Temple
- Shri Ramdevpir Nu Madh
See also
References
- ↑ Rathore, Abhinay. "History of Jadejas". Rajput Provinces of India. Retrieved 15 June 2018.
- ↑ Diwan, Ranchhodji (1882). Târikh-i-Soraṭh: A History of the Provinces of Soraṭh and Hâlâr in Kâthiâwâd. Education Society Press & Thacker. pp. 247–252.
- ↑ Jadav, Joravarsinh (29 April 2012). "આશરા ધર્મને ઉજાગર કરતી સૌરાષ્ટ્રની સૌથી મોટી ભૂચર મોરીની લડાઇ – લોકજીવનનાં મોતી". Gujarat Samachar (in Gujarati). Archived from the original on 10 May 2016. Retrieved 10 May 2016.
- ↑ Rathore, Abhinay. "History of Jadejas". Rajput Provinces of India. Retrieved 15 June 2018.